OpenAI has dismissed recent speculation that advertisements are being introduced into ChatGPT, clarifying that no active ad testing or deployment is underway. The company’s ChatGPT head, Nick Turley, stated that users will instead gain more control over the app’s suggestion section, which had sparked confusion after screenshots resembling ads circulated online.

Turley emphasized that the screenshots shared by some users were either fake or misinterpreted, and reiterated that OpenAI has not conducted any live advertising experiments. He added that if the company ever decides to introduce ads, it will do so transparently and with user interests in mind. Meanwhile, Chief Research Officer Mark Chen confirmed that the suggestion feature has been temporarily disabled as the team explores ways to enhance user customization.

The clarification comes as OpenAI refocuses on improving ChatGPT’s user experience following Google’s release of its Gemini 3 model. CEO Sam Altman has reportedly instructed staff to pause new feature rollouts temporarily to strengthen the platform’s performance and reliability.

U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced concerns over Netflix’s proposed $72 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, which would bring major franchises like *Harry Potter* and *Game of Thrones* under one streaming platform. Speaking in Washington, Trump warned that the combined market share of the two media giants could create competition issues and indicated that he might personally be involved in the approval process.

The deal, announced on December 5, is pending review by the Justice Department’s competition division. Former FTC Chair Bill Kovacic told the BBC that Trump’s remarks suggest the merger could face unusual presidential oversight, shifting what is typically a technical antitrust review into a politically sensitive process. The Writers Guild of America’s East and West branches have urged regulators to block the merger, citing risks to jobs, wages, and creative diversity.

If approved, the merger is expected to close in the second half of 2026 following Warner Bros.’ planned corporate restructuring, potentially reshaping the global entertainment landscape.

Netflix has agreed to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s film, television, and streaming divisions in a landmark $72 billion deal, marking one of the largest mergers in entertainment history. The acquisition will transfer ownership of globally renowned franchises such as Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, DC Comics, and HBO Max to Netflix, significantly expanding its content portfolio and influence across the global media landscape.

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos stated that the merger aligns with the company’s mission to entertain the world, combining Warner Bros’ century-old classics—from Casablanca to Friends—with Netflix’s modern hits like Squid Game and Stranger Things. Analysts, however, warn that the deal could face intense antitrust scrutiny in the United States and Europe, as it consolidates two major streaming players and may reduce market competition.

Despite regulatory hurdles, Netflix expects to save between $2 and $3 billion annually within three years. The company also confirmed that Warner Bros films will continue to receive theatrical releases, signaling a hybrid distribution approach amid industry transformation.

Popular Kolkata-based singer Nachiketa Chakraborty was hospitalized on Saturday evening after developing heart-related complications, prompting the cancellation of his scheduled concert in Asansol on Sunday, December 7. According to hospital sources, the veteran musician is currently in stable condition under medical supervision.

This is not the first time the artist has faced health setbacks affecting his performances. In February 2023, Nachiketa had to cancel another show due to cervical spondylitis, a condition that worsens during winter and with continuous stage activity. Family members and close associates have confirmed that his health had been deteriorating over the past few days before the latest hospitalization.

Fans and fellow musicians have expressed concern and sent wishes for his speedy recovery. Organizers have not yet announced a rescheduled date for the canceled concert, while doctors continue to monitor his condition closely.

The fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival is set to begin on December 4 in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, Saudi Arabia. The festival will open with Rowan Athale’s film 'Giant', inspired by the life of British-Yemeni boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, starring Amir El-Masry and Pierce Brosnan. This year’s event features 111 films, including 16 in the main competition—half from the Middle East and half international. Oscar-winning director Sean Baker will chair the jury. The lineup includes Saudi Arabia’s Oscar entry 'Hijra', Cherien Dabis’s 'All That’s Left of You', and other acclaimed titles from Tunisia, Spain, and Switzerland. Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai is among the confirmed celebrity attendees. The Red Sea Film Foundation, now led by CEO Faisal Baltyuor, aims to attract 40,000 visitors this year, up from 30,000 in 2024. The festival will also feature outdoor screenings, family programs, and a youth filmmaking initiative called 'Voices of Tomorrow'.

A 112-year-old Fabergé masterpiece known as the ‘Winter Egg’ has sold for a record £22.9 million (approximately 3.7 billion Bangladeshi taka) at Christie’s in London. Crafted in 1913 by Russian artist Peter Carl Fabergé for Tsar Nicholas II as a gift to his mother, the intricately designed egg is carved from rock crystal and adorned with about 4,500 diamonds, platinum snowflake motifs, and a miniature flower basket made of white quartz inside. The buyer chose to remain anonymous. This sale surpassed the previous record set in 2007 for any Fabergé artwork. Christie’s expert Margo Oganesian said the result reaffirms the timeless significance of Fabergé’s craftsmanship. The ‘Imperial Winter Egg’ is one of only 50 imperial eggs created for the Romanov family between 1885 and 1917, of which only seven remain in private collections today.

The recently concluded 'Natun Kuri' competition, Bangladesh’s iconic children’s talent platform, returned after two decades under the supervision of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Bangladesh Television (BTV). About 39,000 participants from 64 districts competed across 12 categories, including acting, singing, recitation, and dance. The contest aimed to foster inclusivity, drawing participants from diverse religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. Priyoshi Chakraborty from Tangail and Shubhamita Talukdar from Sunamganj emerged as champions in the ‘Ka’ and ‘Kha’ divisions respectively. A total of 63 child performers received 73 awards, with girls significantly outnumbering boys among winners. The event highlighted the strong influence of educational and culturally active families in nurturing talent. BTV announced that top contestants would be enlisted as official performers and featured in a new show titled 'Shishu Prohor'. The competition’s revival has reinvigorated Bangladesh’s cultural scene, inspiring young talents and engaging audiences both on television and digital platforms.

Chinese online retailers are facing a new wave of refund fraud as some customers use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create fake images showing damaged or defective products. According to the South China Morning Post, buyers first photograph genuine items and then edit them with AI to appear spoiled, broken, or rusted before requesting refunds. Sellers of fruits, electric toothbrushes, clothing, and ceramics have reported such incidents, with AI-detection tools confirming manipulated images in some cases. The scams have raised ethical and legal concerns, especially during the Double Eleven shopping festival. In response, major e-commerce platforms like Alibaba’s Taobao and Tmall have removed the 'refund only' option and introduced a buyer credit scoring system based on purchase and refund behavior. Additionally, China has mandated that all AI-generated content must include visible and invisible watermarks from September 1 to curb misinformation and fraud.

Selim Haider, a celebrated Bangladeshi guitarist and one of the founding members of the iconic band Feedback, passed away on Thursday night, November 27, at a private hospital in Dhaka. He had been undergoing treatment for cancer and other health complications. The news of his death was confirmed by musician Bappa Mazumder. His funeral prayer is scheduled to be held on Friday after Jumma prayers at Hatirpool Pukur Par Jame Mosque. Before forming Feedback, Haider played in the band 'Sannyasi' with late singer Sheikh Ishtiaq and later performed with 'Feedback', 'Maqsood O Dhaka', 'Ullas', and 'Selim Haider & Friends'. He also collaborated with renowned artists like Runa Laila and contributed guitar work to numerous film songs. Known for his introverted nature and musical versatility, Haider mastered lead, bass, rhythm, and keyboard instruments, leaving a lasting legacy in Bangladesh’s modern music scene.

Netflix faced a major technical disruption shortly after releasing the first volume of the final season of 'Stranger Things 5', directed by the Duffer Brothers. The platform went down within minutes of the global premiere as millions of fans attempted to stream the episode simultaneously. The unexpected surge in traffic overwhelmed Netflix’s servers, leaving viewers unable to access the show. Fans quickly took to social media to share their frustration, reporting error messages when trying to play the episode. The company has acknowledged the issue and is working to restore full service. The release of 'Stranger Things 5' marks the beginning of the end for one of Netflix’s most popular and culturally influential series, set in the nostalgic 1980s and known for its blend of science fiction, horror, and coming-of-age drama.

Indian singer Anuv Jain’s much-anticipated concert in Dhaka, scheduled for December 12, has been postponed due to security concerns. The event, organized by Hypnation and set to take place at Courtside, Madani Avenue, was called off after organizers cited their inability to ensure a safe environment for audiences, sponsors, and partners. In a Facebook post, Hypnation stated that the concert would be rescheduled once the situation stabilizes and full safety can be guaranteed. The organizers also mentioned that details regarding ticket refunds will be announced soon. This postponement follows similar cancellations of international concerts in Dhaka, including the ‘Legends Live in Dhaka’ show featuring Bangladeshi rock icon James and Pakistani singer Ali Azmat, which was canceled in November due to permission issues. Several other international performances, including those by Pakistani artists Jal, Kaavish, and Atif Aslam, are also planned in the coming weeks, though their status remains uncertain.

Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Ruqsu) General Secretary Md Salahuddin Ammar has filed a case against Artcell vocalist Lincoln Artcell and manager Khademul Wahab Maher, accusing them of breach of trust and fraud. The complaint, lodged on Wednesday at the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, alleges that despite signing a contract on July 19 to perform at the 'July-36 Freedom Festival' on August 15, the band failed to appear. According to the agreement, Tk 5.25 lakh of a total Tk 5.75 lakh payment was made in advance. However, just five hours before the event, the artists announced on Facebook that they would not attend. The plaintiff claims that their absence caused financial losses amounting to Tk 16 lakh for students and organizers. The court recorded the plaintiff’s statement and ordered Tejgaon police to investigate and submit a report. The plaintiff’s lawyer, Kaiyum Hossain Noyon, confirmed the development.

Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama has become a trending topic on social media following the release of new photos taken by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz. The images, part of her ‘Women’ project, show Obama looking notably slimmer, prompting widespread speculation online. Many users on platforms like Instagram and X have baselessly suggested that she may be using the popular weight-loss drug Ozempic. However, no evidence supports these claims. The discussion has largely shifted away from her project’s message about empowerment and healthy living to focus on her appearance. In a previous 2022 interview with People magazine, Obama discussed natural weight changes during menopause, a context many commenters overlooked. The 61-year-old shared the photos with a caption emphasizing the power of photography to inspire and convey meaning beyond the moment captured.

Bangladeshi Baul singer Hasina Sarkar has made explosive allegations against male Baul artists, claiming that some of them demand sexual favors from female performers in exchange for being invited to musical programs. Her comments came amid nationwide outrage over fellow Baul artist Abul Sarkar, who was recently arrested for making derogatory remarks about Islam and Allah during a performance in Ghior, Manikganj. Hasina stated that when she sought performance opportunities, male Bauls implied she must comply with their inappropriate demands. She rejected such propositions, saying she would not compromise her dignity for stage appearances. The remarks have sparked widespread discussion about exploitation and moral decline within parts of the Baul community, a folk tradition known for its spiritual and philosophical roots. Authorities have not yet commented on Hasina Sarkar’s claims.

Google has taken a major step in artificial intelligence by integrating its newly launched Gemini 3 model directly into its search service. Announced by Alphabet in San Francisco on November 22, this marks the first time a new Gemini version has been activated on the same day as its release. CEO Sundar Pichai described Gemini 3 as Google’s most advanced and intelligent model to date, offering users immediate benefits. The company claims Gemini 3 leads international AI benchmarks and outperforms several major tech rivals. Alongside the model, Google introduced the Gemini Agent, capable of handling complex tasks such as drafting job applications, organizing emails, planning trips, and analyzing personal data for decision-making. The Gemini app now displays responses in a more interactive, visually rich format. Analysts suggest this move brings Google closer to its vision of a universal AI assistant and signals a shift in AI competition toward real-world revenue generation, particularly through Google’s expanding cloud and search services.